LPGA Star Cristie Kerr Takes Aim at Breast Cancer

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Teams with Mutual of Omaha to Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Research through Birdies for Breast Cancer program

New York, NY (PRWEB)April 30, 2004

Cristie Kerr has a new incentive to sink birdie putts on her way to the top of the womenÂs golf rankings this season. Every birdie Kerr records on tour this year will raise valuable funds for breast cancer research through a program called Birdies for Breast Cancer.

ÂMy mom was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer last year and fought so hard to overcome it,Â says Cristie. ÂI knew I had to do something to help fight this horrible disease and after speaking to Evelyn Lauder, founder of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and learning what great progress has been made through properly funded research, we formed the Birdies for Breast Cancer program.Â

Kerr will personally contribute $50 for every birdie she records this entire year and her contribution will be matched by her title sponsor Mutual of Omaha. Proceeds from the program will be presented to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

"Mutual of Omaha is excited to partner with Cristie in raising funds to support breast cancer research, a cause that is very important to our company and our associates. Cristie is off to a tremendous start this season and now her success will mean that much more." said John Hildenbiddle, Mutual of Omaha senior vice president of Brand Management and Public Relations.

ÂI am thrilled to have Mutual of Omaha support this initiative and I am proud to have them as my sponsor on the LPGA tourÂ said Kerr. ÂThey have a great team and I know they are cheering for every birdie.Â

The added incentive appears to be working. The 26 year old Miami native is off to the best start of her 7 year LPGA career, with three top-five placements in the first five events, including a victory at the Takefuji Classic in Las Vegas. Along the way she has amassed 74 birdies, one shy of the LPGA lead, and climbed to 3rd on the LPGA money list. Last year Cristie recorded 295 birdies in 23 events.

This weekÂs launch of the Birdies for Breast Cancer website, http://www.birdiesforbreastcancer.com, will herald the opportunity for friends, fans and corporations to join the fight against breast cancer by pledging additional funds for each birdie Kerr records from this weekÂs Chik-fil-A tournament through the end of the LPGA season in November. Cristie and One-Putt, the official Birdies for Breast Cancer mascot, will update the site weekly with a personal diary entry and fund-raising status report.

ÂThe response from individuals so far has been greatÂ added Kerr. ÂWe even had a company contact us that manages a group of private courses who want to participate by starting their own birdie contribution program for their membersÂ